Love your homeland and country even more.

The program, held on the morning of October 16th at the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper Auditorium, contributed to strengthening the connection between musicians, singers, and young audiences. It also served as an opportunity for exchange and inspiration, aiming to create even more songs praising Ho Chi Minh City – a land full of love and compassion.

The enthusiastic response from artists and writers.

The songwriting contest "The Nation's Complete Joy" was launched by the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper on September 28, 2023, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). The contest aims to contribute to educating about the nation's historical traditions, fostering pride in the homeland, and promoting the image of a united, hospitable Vietnamese people and a prosperous, beautiful, and resilient Vietnam in the face of all challenges.

Mr. To Dinh Tuan, Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper (far right), presents flowers to veteran artists: musician Truong Quang Luc, singer - Meritorious Artist Mang Thi Hoi, singer - Meritorious Artist Anh Tuyet (from right to left). Photo: HOANG TRIEU

Attending the 3rd music exchange were journalist Nguyen Tan Phong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association , Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association; Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai - Head of the Propaganda, Press and Publishing Department of the City Party Committee's Propaganda Department; Mr. Hoang Viet Cuong - Deputy General Director of Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Nam A Bank); Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Thao - Executive Director of Van Hien University; musician Truong Quang Luc; singer - Meritorious Artist Mang Thi Hoi; singer - Meritorious Artist Anh Tuyet; singer Nguyen Phi Hung...

Journalist To Dinh Tuan - Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper and Head of the Steering Committee for the songwriting contest "The Country's Complete Joy" - said that so far, the Organizing Committee has received nearly 80 songs from nearly 60 musicians, singers, and singing groups from many provinces and cities nationwide. The Organizing Committee will select the 20 best works for the final round. The final round will take place in February 2025, and the awards ceremony is expected to be held in April 2025.

During the submission and preliminary screening period, the Organizing Committee will select one outstanding work to be staged and presented at the 30th Mai Vàng Awards Ceremony, scheduled to take place on the evening of January 8, 2025, at the City Theater (Ho Chi Minh City), and will be broadcast live on VTV9 and partner platforms as well as Nguoi Lao Dong Online newspaper.

Many beautiful songs about Ho Chi Minh City have been composed over the years. However, public demand is increasing, requiring more outstanding compositions about Ho Chi Minh City, and the "The Nation's Complete Joy" songwriting contest organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper aims to meet this need.

According to journalist To Dinh Tuan, the songwriting contest "The Nation's Complete Joy" organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper not only received encouragement, guidance, and support from city leaders and departments, but also enthusiastic participation from artists and writers. "This contest included not only musicians and singers who have grown up and developed in Ho Chi Minh City, but also many musicians and singers born and raised in other regions but with deep memories of Ho Chi Minh City who submitted their compositions. In particular, some singers confided that they had never composed before, only performing songs sent to them by musicians, but the meaningful contest organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper inspired many singers to try their hand at composing," journalist To Dinh Tuan reported.

Accordingly, singer-songwriter Dinh Van composed the song " Ho Chi Minh City: My City" to participate; singer Nguyen Phi Hung composed the song "The City in My Heart"; young singer-songwriter Chau Nhat Tin, proud to be a citizen of the city named after President Ho Chi Minh, created the song "Loving the City, Writing a Historical Epic"; and singer-songwriter Nguyen Quang Dai poured his heart into the song "Beloved City"...

Musician and singer Dinh Van played the piano and sang the poignant song "Ho Chi Minh City: My City" with great emotion.

Participating in the 3rd exchange program were over 100 students from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, the Ho Chi Minh City College of Culture and Arts, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film, and the Truong Hung Minh Theatre Arts School. This was an opportunity for musicians and singers to connect with young audiences, inspire them to love music and have a passionate affection for Ho Chi Minh City, and potentially create their own compositions to support the campaign.

At the event, with the approval of the Steering Committee, the Organizing Committee of the songwriting contest announced an additional prize: "Most Popular Work by Readers," worth 5 million VND. The prize structure for the songwriting contest "The Country's Complete Joy" includes: 1 first prize worth 100 million VND, 1 second prize worth 50 million VND, 2 third prizes - each worth 30 million VND, and 3 consolation prizes - each worth 10 million VND.

Singers Kim Thoa, Mạnh Cường, and the choir from the Ho Chi Minh City College of Culture and Arts performed the song "The Joyful Day of Unification" - a song in response to the "The Nation's Complete Joy" songwriting campaign by composer Quỳnh Hợp.

Journalist Bui Thanh Liem - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee of the "Country Full of Joy" songwriting contest - said that the Organizing Committee plans to compile 50 representative songs to be printed in an anthology.

Interesting, full of emotion.

The third music exchange program was exciting and full of emotion, featuring veteran artists. Singer and Meritorious Artist Ánh Tuyết gave an impressive performance of "Bài ca hy vọng" (Song of Hope), composed by musician Văn Ký. Her performance received much applause from the audience. Singer and Meritorious Artist Măng Thị Hội participated in the exchange, sharing touching memories of receiving gifts from the "Mai Vàng Tri Ân" (Golden Apricot Blossom Appreciation) program in 2023. She performed "Bóng cây Kơ nia" (The Shadow of the Kơ nia Tree), a work composed by musician Phan Huỳnh Điểu, set to a poem by Ngọc Anh.

"It's been 51 years since I first sang the song 'The Shadow of the Kơ Nia Tree'. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to composer Phan Huỳnh Điểu for the song 'The Shadow of the Kơ Nia Tree' which contributed to my fame," – singer and Meritorious Artist Măng Thị Hội shared. The powerful, rich, and captivating voices of singer and Meritorious Artist Ánh Tuyết and singer and Meritorious Artist Măng Thị Hội captivated the audience present at the exchange and even younger colleagues.

Singer Bich Phuong expressed her admiration for her senior colleagues and wondered if she could maintain such vocal prowess at their age. "I will strive to reach their level," said singer Bich Phuong, and then delivered a captivating performance of the song "Bài ca đất Phương Nam" (music by Lu Nhat Vu and lyrics by Le Giang).

Singer-songwriter Dinh Van, participating in the songwriting contest with the song "Ho Chi Minh City: My City," shared his feelings: "As someone who grew up and achieved success in Ho Chi Minh City, I have witnessed the city's changes. After the song 'My City' composed by my teacher, musician Phan Nhan, I longed to write a song about the city for a new generation. The song I composed is also an expression of my love for the city." He played the guitar and sang the song "Ho Chi Minh City: My City" with heartfelt emotion.

Singer Nguyen Phi Hung enlivened the exchange program with his self-composed song "The City in My Heart." Nguyen Phi Hung stated that Ho Chi Minh City is where his dreams took flight in his career. His 24-year journey in Ho Chi Minh City has also been the journey that helped his dreams become reality. He is always grateful for the city that has given him so much to appreciate in art. "Things from the heart easily reach the heart. I hope my colleagues, especially the younger ones, will carefully select sincere elements to bring the most meaningful works to the audience," singer Nguyen Phi Hung expressed.

Singer Nguyen Phi Hung gave a passionate performance.

Singer Duong Dinh Tri performed the song "You're at the Head of the River, I'm at the End of the River" (composed by musician Phan Huynh Dieu, set to a poem by Hoai Vu). He is the son of People's Artist Le Thuy, inheriting his mother's sweet and warm voice. In addition, delegates and guests enjoyed performances of: "I Love Vietnam" composed by Phuong Uyen, performed by singer Dong Quan and the Blue Sky singing group; "Vam Co Dong" by musician Truong Quang Luc, set to a poem by Hoai Vu, performed by singers Dong Quan and Di Oanh; "The Joyful Day of Reunification" by musician Quynh Hop, performed by singers Kim Thoa and Manh Cuong; and the song "Looking Back at History from Ho Chi Minh City" composed by Hoang Trung Anh and Huy Truong, performed by Hoang Trung Anh, Yen Phuong, and Huy Truong. The audience enthusiastically cheered for the artists with resounding and prolonged applause.

Van Ta Hong Tinh, a student at the Ho Chi Minh City College of Culture and Arts, shared that the 3rd music exchange program was very meaningful. Not only for myself, but I believe that all the students participating in this exchange will be motivated by it to pursue their careers and contribute to the national art scene.

"On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, many agencies and localities are organizing creative writing campaigns, among which the campaign organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper has a special character. I wish that the campaign will produce many good and beautiful works that will live on through time and in the hearts of the audience," - musician Truong Quang Luc expressed his hope.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai, Head of the Propaganda, Press and Publishing Department of the City Party Committee's Propaganda Board: Highly appreciates the contributions of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper.

I am very happy and fortunate to have attended the 3rd music exchange program. The program left a lasting impression with the participation of many renowned artists and young talents. The program served both as a promotional activity for the campaign and as a beneficial cultural and musical exchange for many people. I highly appreciate the contribution of the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper in organizing the campaign as well as today's cultural exchange program.

I suggest that the newspaper should further highlight the continuity and connection between traditional and modern musical genres, between older and younger generations of singers, and between established and famous works and new ones, all interwoven and linked together to promote the increasingly developing music scene of Ho Chi Minh City.

Singer DI OANH: It's an honor to participate.

As young people, we are honored to participate and perform in the 3rd music exchange program in response to the "The Nation's Complete Joy" songwriting campaign, as this is a beneficial activity that inspires creativity. I hope the campaign will continue to reach further, reaching more young people, and expanding in scale. I hope that after the "The Nation's Complete Joy" songwriting campaign, the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper will launch and organize campaigns that expand into the fields of singing, dancing, and performing arts...

Source: https://nld.com.vn/giao-luu-am-nhac-lan-3-them-yeu-que-huong-dat-nuoc-196241016204601141.htm